Christian Van Riper, a lifelong resident of
Stuart, is a former Florida DCF
Investigator and criminal prosecutor
with vast experience in criminal trial law. He has handled thousands of
criminal cases from misdemeanors to serious felonies such as arson, sexual
battery, first degree grand theft, drug trafficking, and attempted first degree
murder. Christian has successfully conducted numerous criminal jury
trials.

Christian is dedicated to helping fellow clients
facing serious criminal charges. He is thrilled that his chosen career path
allows him to help fellow members of his community.

EXPERIENCE:

Office of the State Attorney for the 19th
Circuit

Christian has handled many
criminal cases during his tenure as a Prosecutor for the State of Florida. He
was promoted from the misdemeanor division to a felony division within seven
months of beginning his career as an ASA. He has argued motions on a
great variety of issues, and he has also conducted numerous jury and no-jury
trials. Additionally, Christian has handled a variety of
misdemeanor and felony cases from DUI's, driving with a suspended
license cases (DWLS), and drug cases to more serious felony
cases such as complicated first degree grand theft cases, arson
cases, robbery and burglary cases, sexual battery cases and many others.
He has also handled various cases involving violent criminal
charges including misdemeanor assault and battery, domestic
violence, aggravated felony assault and battery, and first degree
attempted murder.

Internship with the Office of the State Attorney
for the 6th Circuit

Christian developed an interest
in trial law and criminal law while still in law school. For that reason,
he participated in this internship, which allowed him to gain knowledge and
experience in trial law and, more specifically, criminal law. During this
clinic, Christian was able to conduct actual jury trials while still in
law school, and he also researched and argued motions on various issues and participated
in the investigation and prosecution of various criminal cases.

Florida Supreme Court Internship for
Distinguished Law Students

While in law school, Christian
was chosen to participate in this internship from a very select group of law
students. Each semester, the law schools from around the state
select a limited few students to participate in this internship,
and Christian was one of only two students chosen from his law
school. During this internship, Christian acted as a clerk to
the justices of the Florida Supreme Court, the highest court in Florida.
His job consisted of analyzing petitions, conducting research, and writing memorandum of law for the purpose of advising the Court on various legal
and factual issues.

Investigator with the Department of Children and
Families

Before attending law school, Christian worked as an investigator
for The Department of Children and Families (DCF). The primary focus of
his job was to investigate reports of child abuse occurring in
Florida. During his career as a DCF investigator, Christian became
skilled in the science of investigative technique. A DCF investigator is
called upon to sort through the facts and circumstances surrounding a
claim of abuse and determine if that claim is valid. Christian is
committed to providing his clients with the most well prepared defense
possible. A thorough investigation of the facts and circumstances behind
the criminal act(s) alleged against a client is the first step in mounting
such a defense, and Christian often relies on his experience as a state
investigator in preparing a client's case for trial.

EDUCATIONStetson University College of Law, St.
Petersburg, FL
Juris Doctor, Cum Laude
Graduated in the top 20% of his classHonors and Activities: Honor roll every semester eligible, member of Phi
Delta PhiFlorida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
B.A. in Political Science
Minor in Criminal Justice
G.P.A 3.84, Graduated Magna Cum LaudeHonors and Activities: Honor Roll, International Golden Key Society,
National Political Science Honor Society.

TIMOTHY NIES

tim@vanriperandnies.com
772-283-8712

Tim’s unique and valuable experience in defense litigation, and from years
working as a trial attorney for
insurance companies, puts him in an excellent position to take on the most
complex civil and criminal cases. Prior to forming the firm with
Christian, Tim was a senior casualty attorney for both the largest insurance
defense firm in the United States and one of the largest insurance defense
firms in Florida, where he litigated multiple cases on behalf of Fortune 500
companies.
A
former U.S. Army Ranger with the elite
75th Ranger Regiment, Tim was injured in the line of duty. His
experience developed and tested his leadership skills, and taught him to react
smartly and quickly under pressure, but most importantly for clients, it
brought him true insight into what it is like to suffer and recover from
life-changing injuries.

Tim earned a BV rating by Martindale
Hubbell, the highest rating provided for attorneys at his experience level, and
is a past recipient of the “Best of the Bar” award from the South Florida
Business Journal and was recently recognized in Florida Trend's
Legal Elite™ magazine.

In addition to the Florida Bar, Tim
is admitted to the Federal Bar for the Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts
of Florida. He is a member of the American Association for Justice (AAJ), the
Florida Justice Association (FJA), the Palm Beach Justice Association, the
Broward County Bar Association, the Palm Beach County Bar Association, the
South Palm Beach County Bar Association and the U.S. Maritime Law Association.

Tim is proud
to be a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). The firm offers discounts for all military veterans.

BAR ADMISSIONS:

Florida Bar
U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida
U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida

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